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Indian Tycoon Dr Vijay Sankeshwar to Be Honoured with MBA Award

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Indian logistics magnate Dr Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman and Managing Director of VRL Group, has been named the recipient of the 19th MBA (Multibillionaire Business Achiever) Award, a prestigious honour celebrating extraordinary business impact and social commitment. The award, conceptualized by Dr. Ajit Ravi, is presented by Unique Times in partnership with Manappuram Finance Ltd. The grand recognition ceremony will take place on July 17th at the Sree Gokulam Park Convention Centre, Kochi.

A pioneering figure in India’s transport sector, Dr Vijay Sankeshwar becomes the first-ever recipient from Karnataka, marking a milestone in the award’s pan-India expansion. His leadership has transformed VRL Group into one of India’s most prominent logistics and fleet enterprises.

The award also grants him induction into the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF)—a global forum for high-impact business leaders, envisioned by Dr Ajit Ravi and reserved exclusively for MBA Awardees.

The MBA Award continues to highlight Indian entrepreneurship on a global platform, emphasizing values of responsibility, ethics, and nation-building.

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Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russian Defense Plant in Izhevsk, Killing Three

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A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a factory in the Russian city of Izhevsk on Tuesday, resulting in three fatalities and 35 injuries, according to regional governor Alexander Brechalov via his Telegram channel. Although Brechalov did not disclose the facility’s name, Ukrainian security sources informed Reuters that the attack was carried out by long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

The reported target, the Kupol plant, is known for manufacturing drones and air defense systems and is part of the state-owned Almaz-Antey defense conglomerate. Videos shared by a Ukrainian official showed black smoke rising from what appeared to be a cluster of buildings, reportedly the plant’s production and storage facilities. The strike also caused a significant fire at the site.

Governor Brechalov stated that he had briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin about the incident. Izhevsk is a major defense hub and also houses the globally recognized Kalashnikov arms manufacturing enterprise. Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the claims made by the Ukrainian official.

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Hungarian PM Warns of Legal Consequences Over Banned Budapest Pride March

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned of “clear legal consequences” for those organizing or participating in the Budapest Pride march, following a police ban on the event. The march, scheduled for this weekend, has been deemed illegal under new legislation passed in March, which allows authorities to prohibit LGBTQ parades on the grounds of child protection and use facial recognition technology to identify attendees and impose fines.

Orban defended the ban during a state radio interview, urging citizens to respect the law while stating that Hungary remains a “civilised country” where police should aim to convince people, not confront them. “We are in the world not to make each others’ lives more difficult but easier,” he said, calling this principle the essence of Christianity.

The ban has drawn criticism from human rights groups and Western allies, with over 30 countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, expressing support for Hungary’s LGBTQ community. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also urged the Hungarian government to allow the march. Orban compared her intervention to Cold War-era Soviet control, accusing Brussels of trying to dictate how Hungarians should live.

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NATO Leaders Convene in The Hague for Historic Summit as Defence Spending Target Rises to 5%

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NATO leaders gathered in The Hague for a landmark summit that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described as “historic,” with all 32 member nations expected to commit to raising defence spending to 5% of national GDP. US President Donald Trump attended his first NATO summit since 2019, receiving public praise from Secretary General Mark Rutte for his “decisive action in Iran” and efforts in securing alliance consensus. The summit opened with a royal dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander, with working sessions scheduled to be brief but significant

The 5% defence investment goal, more than double NATO’s long-standing 2% benchmark, marks a dramatic shift in alliance priorities, spurred by growing concerns over Russian aggression. While 3.5% will be allocated to core defence, the remaining 1.5% covers infrastructure and cybersecurity. Despite initial resistance, major players including Germany and the UK pledged to meet the target by 2029 and 2035 respectively. However, nations like Spain and Belgium voiced concerns, with Madrid seeking an exemption—an idea firmly rejected by Rutte, threatening alliance unity.

Meanwhile, the summit takes place under the shadow of renewed violence in Ukraine, with Russian missile strikes killing 20 and injuring over 160 civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set to meet Trump during the summit, arrives amid growing calls for NATO members to scale up support for Kyiv. As train services from Schiphol Airport faced suspected sabotage, Dutch authorities are investigating the incident, emphasizing the tense geopolitical climate surrounding the high-stakes summit.

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Labour MPs Rebel Against Government’s Welfare Reform Plans Amid Poverty Concerns

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More than 100 Labour MPs have backed a move to block the government’s controversial welfare reform bill, which aims to cut disability and sickness-related benefits to save £5bn annually by 2030. The MPs have signed a reasoned amendment that could potentially halt the bill’s progress if selected by the Commons Speaker and supported by a majority. Critics argue the proposed changes, which would tighten eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), could push an additional 250,000 people—including 50,000 children—into relative poverty.

Despite mounting dissent, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden defended the reforms, citing the projected doubling of people on long-term sickness and disability benefits by the end of the decade. He stressed the need for action to manage rising costs, which are forecast to reach £70bn annually by 2030. The government maintains that £1bn will be invested to support people back into work, though Labour MPs argue the impact assessments are inadequate and the consultation process insufficient.

Labour’s internal rift deepened after several MPs, including select committee chairs and recently elected members, joined the rebellion. The resignation of whip Vicky Foxcroft and the backlash over earlier votes on winter fuel cuts have galvanized support for the amendment. As the vote looms next week, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with rebel MPs determined to send the government “back to the drawing board” and reconsider the reforms’ long-term consequences.

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Met Police Chief Condemns Planned London Protest Backing Palestine Action

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London’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has expressed his “shock and frustration” over a planned protest in support of Palestine Action, set to take place in central London on Monday. The protest, backed by 35 groups including the Stop the War Coalition and MEND, follows a high-profile break-in by Palestine Action activists at RAF Brize Norton, where red paint was sprayed on military aircraft in protest against the UK’s support for Israel.

With Home Secretary James Cleverly reportedly preparing to formally proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, Sir Mark described the group as an “organised extremist criminal group”. He stressed that while the Met currently lacks the legal authority to prevent the protest, conditions under the Public Order Act have been imposed. Protesters will only be allowed to gather between 12:00 and 15:00, and not within the designated exclusion zone covering much of Westminster.

Palestine Action confirmed on social media that the protest will be held at Trafalgar Square, outside the restricted zone. Meanwhile, human rights groups including Amnesty International and figures like Baroness Shami Chakrabarti have voiced concerns over the proposed ban, warning it could criminalise peaceful dissent. The move to proscribe the group has drawn both praise and criticism across the political spectrum amid ongoing debates over protest rights and the war in Gaza.

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Pedro Sánchez Battles Political Crisis Amid Corruption Scandal in PSOE

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing a major political crisis following the resignation of senior Socialist Party (PSOE) leader Santos Cerdán, who is under investigation for alleged corruption. Audio recordings released by investigators appear to show Cerdán discussing commissions paid for public contracts, forcing his resignation from both the party and parliament. Although Sánchez himself is not directly implicated, the scandal has shaken his administration, especially since he had previously defended Cerdán against media allegations.

The investigation also implicates former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and his advisor Koldo García. Meanwhile, Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, is being probed for business irregularities, and his brother faces trial for alleged influence peddling. Sánchez has denounced the investigations as politically motivated attacks from the conservative People’s Party (PP), far-right Vox, and segments of the judiciary. Despite the mounting pressure, he has vowed to complete his term, insisting that the government’s work on healthcare, housing, and climate policy must continue.

Opposition parties have intensified calls for Sánchez’s resignation, accusing him of leading a corrupt administration. The political fallout has left the left-wing electorate demobilized while energizing conservative voters. While Sánchez still holds a fragile majority with the support of nationalist and left-wing allies, further revelations could undermine his position. As he prepares to attend a NATO summit in The Hague, questions about his political survival and Spain’s defense spending commitments loom large.

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Kneecap Rapper Mo Chara Granted Bail in London Terror Charge Case

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Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known by his stage name Mo Chara from the Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap, was released on unconditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on a terror-related charge. He is accused of displaying a flag in support of the banned organisation Hezbollah during a recent performance in the city. The 27-year-old arrived at court accompanied by fellow band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh), where a packed courtroom and supporters gathered to witness the proceedings.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered Mr Ó hAnnaidh to return for a hearing on 20 August, and acknowledged difficulties in finding an Irish language interpreter. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove clarified that the charge was not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s political views or support for Palestine, but specifically about alleged support for a proscribed group. Defence lawyer Brenda Campbell KC countered that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. The courtroom was filled with journalists, Irish language advocates, and MPs including John Finucane and Paul Maskey.

Outside the courthouse, supporters held Palestinian and Kneecap flags, while others wore “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts and displayed placards defending free speech. The crowd applauded the group’s arrival and cheered slogans challenging historical discrimination. Kneecap, known for its provocative political stances and Irish-language advocacy, has faced past controversies, including a UK government grant dispute and a Gaza-related performance at Coachella. Their growing influence recently culminated in a BAFTA-winning film depicting their rise to fame.

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Pegasus Calls Out Misuse of Miss South India & Mrs South India Titles: “This Is More Than Just a Name”

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Pegasus, the force behind the celebrated Miss South India and Mrs South India pageants, has raised serious concerns over growing instances of impersonation. Founded and trademarked by Dr. Ajit Ravi, these platforms are considered flagships in the beauty pageant space, offering women a stage to showcase talent and strength.

However, recent activity by unassociated groups attempting to conduct events under the same names has sparked concern. Pegasus has confirmed that these actions are not only illegal but a blatant disrespect to the hard-earned reputation of the original titles. The organization emphasized that these titles are exclusive trademarks and cannot be used by any third party.

“The journey we’ve walked cannot be replicated by shortcuts,” remarked Dr. Ajit Ravi. “Every crown we place carries with it a legacy, not just a name. Those who try to imitate without understanding the purpose only harm the young talents who trust in what we do. Our message is simple: respect originality and stand for authenticity.”

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Swinney Pledges Equal Winter Fuel Payments for Scottish Pensioners Amid UK U-Turn

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Scottish First Minister John Swinney has assured pensioners that no one in Scotland will receive less in winter fuel payments than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. This announcement follows UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ reversal on a controversial decision to cut universal winter fuel payments. Under the revised UK scheme, households in England and Wales with an income under £35,000 will receive £200 for pensioners under 80 and £300 for those over 80, while higher earners will see the money reclaimed through taxes.

The Scottish government, which plans to launch its own winter fuel payment scheme by late 2025, had initially promised a minimum of £100 for every household with someone over the state pension age. Those on Pension Credit would receive up to £305 based on age. Swinney confirmed that the Scottish scheme will at least match the UK model and introduced an “opt-out” option allowing better-off pensioners to return the payment or donate it to charity.

In a broader speech on public service reform delivered in Glasgow, Swinney emphasized the urgent need for “fundamental change” in the delivery of services, acknowledging mounting pressure on Scotland’s public sector. He called for a shift toward prevention and early intervention, promising more investment in technology and AI. Ministers Ivan McKee and Richard Lochhead will lead the government’s national renewal initiative.

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